Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Recruit to join Huskies in December

Casey Pierro-Zabotel was slated to skate for the Michigan Tech Huskies in the fall, but due to being considered a partial qualifier according to NCAA elegibility standards, he will instead join the team in December.

This is a big hit to the team as Pierro-Zabotel, an 18-year-old center from Ashcroft, B.C., was expected to make an impact early in the season.

Jamie Russell, head coach of the Huskies, said his team will work around this adversity.

"I am very proud of Casey for his belief and commitment to earning acollege education," Russell said. "Obviously, he is a great hockey player, but he truly believes in receiving his education. Although this isn't an ideal situation, it could be a great opportunity in the long run. Not only will he be able to combine his education with a Division I hockey career, it will help him move towards achieving his goal of playing in the NHL."

Pierro-Zabotel was a third-round pick, 80th overall, last month at the NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Huskies will have to make it through the early season with out their top recruit, but could welcome him as early as the December 15 game against Northern Michigan.

Information courtesy Michigan Tech Athletics and photo courtesy NHL.

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